What We Think: Construction bill draws controversy

A bill that would provide $250 million for building new facilities on Louisiana Community and Technical College System campuses is on its way to becoming a reality. And while it is a worthy project that would help create a skilled workforce, its pathway to approval is drawing criticism.

Senate Bill 204, authored by state Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, made its way through the Senate and was passed unanimously by the House Education Committee last week. It will now go to the full House for discussion.

But not everyone thinks it's a good idea, including State Treasurer John Kennedy, who said it borrowing that much money could break the state's debt ceiling.

The Louisiana Board of Regents also raised strenuous objections, because the bill was introduced directly to the state Legislature without having the proposal go through the standard capital outlay process.

Both sides have valid points.

Several months ago, when we first heard of the plan to ask the Legislature for funding to build new LCTCS facilities around the state, we endorsed the concept. At the time, however, we were unaware that LCTCS would circumvent the capital outlay process that all other institutions adhere to.

But it's a complicated issue and a tough situation.

Natalie Harder, chancellor of South Louisiana Community College, said if LCTCS were to go through the Board of Regents, the process could take as long as 10 years, while community colleges have to turn away applicants in vital fields, such as health care. There are more than 100 people on SLCC's licensed practical nursing program's waiting list alone, Harder said.

In addition, she said, of the 47 projects at community colleges over the past 10 years, only three made it through the traditional capital outlay process.

"The others passed through alternative financing," she said.

That's not an encouraging track record.

On the other side of it, officials at some two-year colleges not in LCTCS are crying foul because they feel LCTCS is skipping to the front of the line unfairly.

Louisiana State University Eunice Chancellor William Nunez worries that if LCTCS gets that much money, other schools, like LSUE, may have trouble financing much-needed improvements.

Nunez said LSUE recently got a new building on its campus by going through the Louisiana Board of Regents. It took 14 years.

But why does it take so long?

That is still unclear. Spokespersons for the Louisiana Board of Regents said Monday that they try to make decisions fairly and equitably for the four college and university systems for which they are responsible. Those are the University of Louisiana System, the Louisiana State University System, the Southern University System and LCTCS. And there just isn't enough money to keep up with the maintenance and upgrading of these existing buildings on about 38 campuses around the state.

It is clear, however, that this 10-year average is too long.

It's hard to blame the leaders of an educational system for taking the direct route to getting much-needed funding.

Adley calls the Board of Regents' opposition to the legislation a "turf war."

He said it's up to elected officials to lead when they see a need.

Officials with the Board of Regents fear more institutions will take a cue from LCTCS and try to push their projects through with the help of their own local legislators.

That is a distinct possibility.

Right or wrong, the bill has been sailing through the Legislature.

It is just unfortunate that the only way to get necessary funding to meet the state's educational needs without waiting a decade is to circumvent the system.

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What We Think: Construction bill draws controversy

A bill that would provide $250 million for building new facilities on Louisiana Community and Technical College System campuses is on its way to becoming a reality.